Otto takes his tools and has Moved on., Leamon S. PreTech Alex. Mike D and a host of others |
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Otto takes his tools and has Moved on., Leamon S. PreTech Alex. Mike D and a host of others |
Heeltoe914 |
Feb 8 2013, 01:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,135 Joined: 31-January 06 From: Tujunga Calif, Member No.: 5,506 |
I just got word that a Great Driver, A 914 enthusiast who truly lived and breathed 914s, 911s and the Porsche dream has passed. My friend John Williamson.
We all know the knowledge and creations of John. I can truly smile at some of the things I remember him for. I was a 20 year kid going to school in West Los Angeles, I wanted so much to get into 914s. But I had the below average college funding. I found a $1000 non-running 914 and needed some advise to get it going. I found John, AKA; OTTO. First thing he said to me was "take the motor out bring it in we will look at it". I said "I don't have that kind of money!" Before I could say another word he put a book in my hand and ask me what kind of work can I do. I said I do construction. The next week I bring the motor in and before I can even go take a piss he had the heads off. I said "Whoa! Stop I cant afford this." Anyone who knew Otto will agree that it does not matter what you say, he is going to do it his way. From that day he showed me all the little tricks on how to do 914 motors. Never did I pay anything, but blood and sweat, working around his shop from time to time. Fast forward 30 years later, I will miss the great conversation on racing and the personal trust that him and I had. I hope that like me, several of you will understand this loss to the Porsche world. But know like me, that they must have needed a mechanic in heaven. R.I.P - John Williamson 2-8-13. Plans are to have ashes spread at Willow springs Details as thay develop. Enjoyable Reads; http://www.yovenice.com/2013/02/10/rip-john-otto-williamson/ ___________________________________________________ Leamon S |
tod914 |
Feb 8 2013, 01:26 PM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,755 Joined: 19-January 03 From: Lincoln Park, NJ Member No.: 170 |
Real sorry to hear that. John was definetly a character (meant in a good way). Always enjoyed talking to him. He got me out of a bind with my 1st 914 too. A few of the local shops couldn't figure out why the car was running so poorly after warm up. Dropped it off Ottos, got a call an hour later. "Your heads are put on wrong and temp sensor is just hanging there." Problem solved.
RIP John |
brant |
Feb 8 2013, 01:39 PM
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#3
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,739 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
thank you for the news.
I'm sorry to hear it though I never met John in person but did have a few good phone calls with him over the last 15 years sad to hear it. |
sixnotfour |
Feb 8 2013, 01:49 PM
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#4
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 10,525 Joined: 12-September 04 From: Life Elevated..planet UT. Member No.: 2,744 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
RIP OTTO
Glad I got to meet him and BS with him at a few events. One of a kind. |
JRust |
Feb 8 2013, 02:04 PM
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#5
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,309 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Corvallis Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
RIP brother (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) . Sad news to be sure. Met Otto a couple times through the years. A little quirky but what teener isn't
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Chris H. |
Feb 8 2013, 02:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4,043 Joined: 2-January 03 From: Chicago 'burbs Member No.: 73 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
"Otto's Venice" Otto? Well that sucks. Nice guy. He sold me my re-chromed rear bumper for $15 with $350 shipping. Does that sound like him or what? RIP John...
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Elliot Cannon |
Feb 8 2013, 02:47 PM
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#7
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914 Guru Group: Retired Members Posts: 8,487 Joined: 29-December 06 From: Paso Robles Ca. (Central coast) Member No.: 7,407 Region Association: None |
I sat next to him at the breakfast just befor the 2005 WCC. I think he got kinda tired of all the questions. RIP (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
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Jeffs9146 |
Feb 8 2013, 02:57 PM
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#8
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Ski Bum Group: Members Posts: 4,062 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Discovery Bay, Ca Member No.: 128 |
QUOTE "Otto's Venice" Otto? Well that sucks. Nice guy. If it is Otto's Venice then I met him in 1979 when he replaced my clutch on my first 914!! Sorry to hear!! Here is a photo of the car he worked on back then! Attached image(s) |
SLITS |
Feb 8 2013, 03:02 PM
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#9
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"This Utah shit is HARSH!" Group: Benefactors Posts: 13,602 Joined: 22-February 04 From: SoCal Mountains ... Member No.: 1,696 Region Association: None |
Godspeed John ... one hell of a person & racer.
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ejm |
Feb 8 2013, 03:03 PM
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#10
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I can see the light at the end of the tunnel Group: Members Posts: 2,702 Joined: 3-February 03 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 224 Region Association: None |
RIP John. Real nice guy. Gave Jen and I a tour of his shop when we were out for WCC05. She happened to call while I was reading this thread. Had a good laugh with her retelling how John took her out on the Streets of Willow in his green 914. Passing cars with twice the hp and putting his cigar in the ashtray when he needed both hands on the wheel. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
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Michelj13 |
Feb 8 2013, 03:46 PM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 29-May 04 From: Torrance, CA Member No.: 2,122 Region Association: Southern California |
Sorry to hear that John has passed. He was a character for sure and shared his knowledge and love for Porsches. And, did I say he was a character (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I got a few hard to find parts from his shop. He would say, 'Go back there and find what you need and we'll figure out a price later" He was always reasonable. He could drive too. I saw him get FTD at a few POC events. RIP John |
GaroldShaffer |
Feb 8 2013, 04:02 PM
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#12
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You bought another 914? Group: Benefactors Posts: 7,627 Joined: 27-June 03 From: Portage, IN Member No.: 865 Region Association: None |
Never met him in person, but talked a few times on the phone.
RIP John |
GeorgeRud |
Feb 8 2013, 04:17 PM
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#13
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,725 Joined: 27-July 05 From: Chicagoland Member No.: 4,482 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
R.I.P. John
I first talked to him years ago when I wanted to start my conversion. He sent the parts that I needed, with the instructions to send him a check if I liked them, or send them back if they weren't what I needed. Unheard of these days! He truly did enjoy being a bit offbeat, but his knowledge and and help will never be forgotten by this enthusiast. I really enjoyed having had the opportunity to converse and visit with him when we were out in Venice. He was one of a kind and will be missed. |
Maltese Falcon |
Feb 8 2013, 04:55 PM
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#14
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,819 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Mulholland SoCal Member No.: 2,755 Region Association: None |
John and I would always come up with some joke about cars.
The 912e, we nicknamed the Stuttgart Edsel ! I will surely miss JW Marty |
Black22 |
Feb 8 2013, 05:06 PM
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#15
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 886 Joined: 1-November 07 From: Creswell, OR Member No.: 8,290 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
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Michael N |
Feb 8 2013, 05:49 PM
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#16
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Certifiable Group: Members Posts: 1,426 Joined: 6-June 04 From: San Jose, Ca Member No.: 2,164 Region Association: Northern California |
I had the pleasure of having Otto show me the lines of the track during WCC 05 at The Streets of Willows. What a character. He to this day has driven my car faster than I ever have. Scared the crap out of me but was in control all the time. Really cool that he came with headsets to instruct and loads of knowledge. Otto chasing down Siverson's orange beauty scared the living crap out of me.
R.I.P. |
914 |
Feb 8 2013, 05:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 450 Joined: 26-December 02 Member No.: 19 Region Association: Southern California |
John was a great guy.. He talked with my kind of humor.When parts were needed he would point you to the loft,find them and bring them down..Otto worked on my "four"over the years .He Really new 914's.Rest In Peace my friend..
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SirAndy |
Feb 8 2013, 06:15 PM
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#18
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,815 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
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Cap'n Krusty |
Feb 8 2013, 06:16 PM
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#19
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
Spanky's gone? I am pretty much stunned. I worked with him off and on, he got me into P-car school, and we've talked on the phone many times over the years. My kids will be shocked, too.
Bye, Otto! May your trunk be always filled with beer, or maybe Cuba Libres, and may you always be on the line ............................. We'll miss you. BTW, he got me started in this biz, befriending me when I couldn't get a job after I got out of the AF, getting the dealership where he worked to sponsor me at school, showing me how to get around Willow in my Speedster, letting me crew for him at the Laguna Parade in the 70s, and helping me get a job at Porschop when I was ready to leave the dealership. The Cap'n |
SUNAB914 |
Feb 8 2013, 06:18 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 698 Joined: 29-December 08 From: Fredericksburg VA Member No.: 9,880 Region Association: South East States |
Is this the same Otto that was a retired Marine? If so he had me laughing over the phone so hard with old Marine stories.
RIP and Semper Fi old friend! |
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